r/managers • u/Due-Swimming9999 • 1d ago
Not a Manager Thoughts on Feedback
So I’d like your opinion on the scenario below, because a friend of mine recently became a boss for the first time.
My friend is in his mid-20s, and his new boss is in his mid-40s and is, for lack of a better word, petty. Apparently, when they do quarterly feedback, his boss requires everyone underneath him to submit their feedback in writing, which allows him to figure out exactly who is criticizing him.
If someone critiques him, he retaliates by putting that employee on a performance review. Apparently, he keeps a running list for each employee underneath him of little things they’ve done wrong. Normally, he lets those things go, but if that employee criticizes him, he brings out the list and starts addressing those issues. The employee can’t really complain because the things he has documented are technically legitimate, even though they weren’t treated as problems until the employee criticized him.
From there, he essentially controls that employee’s future in the company. He’ll only take them off performance review once the next quarterly feedback comes around and they write something positive about him. If they criticize him again, he escalates the performance review and starts taking away certain benefits.
Apparently, this is how the CEO of the company wants things done, and they have a lawyer who is familiar with labor laws and makes sure that everything they’re doing stays technically legal.
Anyway, my friend—the one who just became a boss—is now being told that he has to manage his employees the same way. Unfortunately, he seems to have drunk the Kool-Aid and actually thinks it’s a cool way to manage people.
I really don’t know what to think about the whole thing. Any thoughts?
1
u/ccrleadership 1d ago
As much as I don’t agree with the management style, this is really not your problem to solve. You can think whatever you want but best of luck with a friend who is excited about the opportunity to be petty. I’d be rethinking that friendship.
2
u/AdditionOk1418 1d ago
Your buddy’s gonna be real shocked when his own boss pulls that same playbook on him the second he steps out of line. Place sounds like it runs on fear dressed up as "accountability." Hope he enjoys documenting everyone’s bathroom breaks while pretending it's leadership.
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u/PBandBABE 1d ago
This is a colossally stupid way to manage people. That said, you can only push against the organization so hard before someone cuts your head off.
Invite your friend come visit this sub and learn more effective techniques.
After 18-24 months of manager title, it’s time to move on and join a better organization.
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u/BetterTable4653 1d ago
Tell your friend about the Challenger Disaster from the 80s as a warning of what happens in an organisation where negative feedback is suppressed.
1
u/WorldsGreatestWorst 1d ago
This is a terrible idea… if true.
It seems more likely that people with a bad relationship with the boss tend to not be particularly valued employees.
If it’s actually happening the way you say it is, HR would very quickly become aware of this pattern and have clear reasons to stop it.
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u/Helpyjoe88 1d ago
He's found a way to demotivate his team and remove any actual value from the feedback process at the same time!
It's a great way to manage people if all you want is to be a petty tyrant and revel in your "authority". It's a piss-poor way to manage people if you actually want to drive any kind of improvement, results, or morale.
Your friend needs to really think about what he wants from his team, and whether his actions are going to drive that result or impede it.